figure 8

[ACY]

Here is the misalignment which causes the need for more space than a standard 36" diameter oval.

[pjsdad]

he seems to have room for the 60 degree version. In that case if the 60 degree x-over is to long you can use shorter straights.

[Joe Satnik]

ACY,

Anyrail shows the 30 degree crossing length as 11.93", or about 11-15/16".    How did you get 'almost 13" long' ?

Many years ago I noticed that the "Bachmann recommended" 30 degree crossing was too long (without cutting) for a "natural" (perfect geometry) 18"R x 30 degree Figure-8.

I calculated that the 30 degree crossing length needed to be 9.65", or about 9-5/8" for that purpose.  (Formula on request.)

(You need to cut off 1-1/8" from each of the 4 legs to get it near perfect length.)

In higher degree (45, 60, 90, e.g.) crossing cases, the crossing piece is short of the length needed, and 4 equal straight lengths are added to the

legs of the crossing piece.   

Terry Toenges managed to find a yard situation where the uncut crossing would work:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,661.0.html

(Scroll past first photo.)

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[ACY]

I used the ruler tool and put the ends of the arrows on the each end of the piece of one route.

[Joe Satnik]

ACY,

Parts of the track pieces that slide by one another are not counted in the length. 

Measure the top of the rail-head only.

Hunt,

You can't beat imperfection. 

Joe

[ACY]

I opened up anyrail, this time I did get 11.94", but I opened up the one I saved from yesterday where it shows the supposed misalignment and the arrows went to the same places on the piece and it read 12.94", I then proceeded to make a second measurement using a second ruler on the program and got 11.94"; it must have been a glitch with the program.